Compassion and Gratitude the Fuel of the Youniverse
By Lori Marie
I learned a long time ago what the true meaning of compassion is:
To have a deep awareness of the suffering of another without the need to relieve it, feeling total appreciation for its value—a state of non-judgment.
This understanding came to mind again today as I listened to the Acid for Squares podcast. They had a guest, Maria Bertram, who shared her journey behind creating a documentary called Be Happy. Her story sparked a wave of contemplation within me, starting with the idea of eating meat.
For a while, I had stopped eating meat, and I might return to that practice again. But I don’t feel the need to do it all the time. It’s not so much about the consciousness of animals for me—though I understand and respect that perspective. Instead, it feels more connected to the energy in the meat itself and how it differs from the energy in plants.
As I listened, I reflected on this idea: Animals are sentient beings with consciousness. But then I realized—plants are alive too. They may not be like animals or humans, but they have their own form of awareness. I believe they can feel our love. Trees, for example, feel deeply alive to me, as do all plants.
This led me down a rabbit hole. If animals and plants are conscious, how do we eat anything? I started to think about how certain spiritual teachings, like those of the Buddha, mention going long periods without food. There are also studies suggesting that humans might not need as much food as we think—water, on the other hand, is essential.
That brought me to the fascinating studies on how thoughts affect water. If our bodies are mostly water, then the words we speak and the energy we project can profoundly affect us and those around us.
This reminded me of the Native American practice of gratitude—how they honored and thanked the earth, animals, and plants for their sacrifices. Everything they used was received with respect and acknowledgment.
And then I asked myself: If this is my youniverse, how do I want it to be?
I would love my youniverse to evolve into one where we create and share energy rather than consume it. While that vision may take lifetimes to manifest, I can start now by consciously embodying the high vibrations of compassion and gratitude.
Compassion and Gratitude
Compassion is about holding space for where we—and everything around us—currently are, without judgment. Gratitude is about appreciating what we have instead of sending it negative energy with thoughts like, I should be doing better.
If this is truly my youniverse, then the people, situations, and experiences I encounter are reflections of my inner state. Nothing is separate; everything is part of the story I am creating.
For example, today I enjoyed a breakfast that included foods I rarely eat because I’ve come to believe they aren’t “good” for me. But instead of guilt, I chose gratitude—for the meal, for the nourishment, and for the pleasure it brought me. I went for a walk afterward, meditated, and shifted my energy to a space of appreciation.
Even the meat in that meal became an opportunity for compassion and gratitude—for the life that contributed to my sustenance.
Shifting Perspectives
Lately, I’ve been reflecting on how to shift my approach to health, abundance, perfectionism, and even my relationships. Compassion and gratitude are the keys.
When I catch myself moving into a judgmental mindset—whether about myself or others—I am learning to pause and redirect. For instance, when I passed an African American man walking his dog, I waved and smiled. His surprise reminded me of how often we limit our kindness to what we’ve been programmed to accept.
Similarly, I recently saw a social media post of someone juggling—a person who might typically be judged for their body shape. Instead of focusing on appearances, I celebrated their talent and authenticity.
This shift in perspective is transforming my youniverse into one of greater alignment with compassion and gratitude.
Everyday Practices
To ground this energy in my life, I’m taking small, conscious steps:
Eating more fruits and vegetables.
Blessing my food and water with love, light, and gratitude.
Practicing mindfulness with my thoughts and shifting negative ones to compassion and appreciation.
Honoring every experience as part of my story, reflecting where I am and where I want to go.
No, I can’t instantly create the youniverse I envision—but I can start building it, one step at a time.
Thank you, youniverse, for guiding me to this energetic space and showing me the way to align with love, compassion, and gratitude for all.
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